Putting organics in their place is a year-round activity that not only helps feed plants, lawns and hedges throughout British Columbia, but also reduces GHGs.

As International Composting Awareness Week (May 6-12) wraps up today, it's a reminder that we can do our part to move those organics out of landfills and back to the earth where they belong. Organics left in landfill break down to create methane, a greenhouse gas that is 20 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.

British Columbians can use these tips to reduce organics in the local landfill:

• Garden composts have limits. Send hard-to-breakdown scraps like meat, bones and eggshells to the local organic composting facility.

• Be mindful that bears are out looking for food, so do not add meat products or uncooked food to compost. Turn it regularly and keep it covered.

• Warm weather means the kitchen bin can heat up and cause odours. Stifle the stink by placing organics in the freezer or wrap wet food waste in paper.

• The heat of the summer will also speed up the composting process, so move your scraps out of the house and turn the compost pile regularly.

• Fruit flies are unwelcome guests when kitchen composting collects. Capture those flies with bowls of vinegar covered with plastic wrap or spritz a disinfectant spray around the bin.

• Compostable liners keep green bins clean and make disposal very easy.

• If a liner is not used, rinse regularly to reduce the organics left in the bin.

• Outside containers attract pests big and small. Discourage those crafty critters by sealing them up tight or storing them out of the way.

• Backyard composters are another attractant for pests. Discourage rodents by sealing the bin while it generates the brown gold for the garden.

• Ensure that whatever is tossed in the green bin or on the compost heap is free of pesticides or chemicals.

• Every region reduces its landfill in its own way. Find out more from your local municipality or regional district.

Learn More:

Learn about composting in Canada at the Compost Council of Canada website: http://www.compost.org/

List of Regional Recycling in Lower Mainland:

http://www.harvestpower.com/bc/organics-recycling-in-the-region/

Recycling Council of British Columbia: http://rcbc.bc.ca/

Media Contact:

Dan Gilmore
Communications
Ministry of Environment
250 213-2302